We started summer off with a bang. A whirlwind, month-long tour of the Florida Keys and Disney, with a stop at Great Falls on the way back home. And then the summer stalled. The kids head to camp in a few weeks to close out the summer, but we need little, free or low-cost mother and son activities to do now – TODAY – to keep the momentum of summer going.
1. Visit a local orchard and pick fruit.
2. Cheer on a favorite sports team.
We are huge UMD sports fans. My husband and I met there, and my oldest son is named for one of the buildings. As part of Blogger Bash in NYC, Kids Headquarters recently hosted me for an event at their amazing offices in the Empire State Building, and they sent me home with Under Armour outfits for the boys in the team colors of their beloved Maryland Terrapins. The boys love how they look in their “just like the big boys” Armour Up outfits!
3. Have a lightsaber battle.
4. Have a movie marathon – their choice.
5. Visit the outlets and let them choose some clothes or a new backpack for back to school.
6. Use the Slip and Slide…yes, you too, Mom.
7. Stay up late to look at the full moon.
8. Have an Olympics day. Who can jump higher, run faster, throw farther?
9. Bake using a “gross cookbook”.
10. Set up a toy town with Hot Wheels and LEGOs.
11. Play a video game together.
12. Volunteer time at a local shelter.
13. Host a Lemonade Stand to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
14. Play tag.
The wonderful folks at Kids Headquarters also sent the baby these adorable, silky soft Quiksilver shorts. Adorable, right?
15. Install a zip line in the yard.
16. Host a yard sale.
17. Visit a trail or beach that is off the beaten path.
18. Learn more about the animals that live in your backyard.
19. Catch fireflies.
20. Find a local ice cream shop (and try not to cringe when they pick the weirdest flavor).
21. Watch a thunderstorm roll in (from the safety of your house).
22. Blow bubbles. Pop bubbles. Blow some more.
23. Capture a family photo with everyone in it (holiday card, anyone?!).
24. Go to the creek and look under rocks for salamanders.
25. Splash in a fountain.
26. Grow something that you will later eat.
27. Fall asleep under the stars.
28. Surprise the kids and plan a spontaneous day trip.
29. Visit a cave (at least it is cool down there!).
30. Share one of your favorite books with the boys and let them choose one to share with you.
31. Write to an author, politician, or character that your son admires.
32. Let them help you with a DIY project.
33. Invent something together to solve a household problem.
34. Fly a kite, drone, or remote controlled helicopter at the park.
35. Climb a tree.
36. Ride a train.
37. Make “snow” angels in the grass (then do a tick check).
38. Have them sort through their old toys for donations.
39. Design a family shirt with vinyl, iron on transfers, or tie dye.
40. Keep a dialogue journal (where you write notes back and forth to each other).
41. Visit a camp together (for next summer?!).
42. Splash in puddles in the rain.
43. Have a family dance party.
44. Phone a friend of theirs that has moved away.
45. Do a family Lip Dub.
Disclosure: Kids Headquarters (KHNY) provided some of the outfits (as mentioned above) for review. This article has not been influenced by KHNY and contains only my honest opinions. #iheartKHNY #kidsheadquarter #bbnyc
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